A Nurse Shadowing Program for Physicians: Bridging the Gap in Understanding Nursing Roles

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Education
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Ineffective physician-nurse communication negatively impacts patient satisfaction, safety, and staff engagement.
• Physician unfamiliarity with the nursing process is a key factor contributing to communication breakdowns.
• Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for optimizing healthcare outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a physician-nurse shadow program on interdisciplinary collaboration.
• To improve communication and mutual understanding between physicians and nurses.
• To address physician unfamiliarity with nursing workflow and patient care.

Main Methods:

• First-year resident physicians participated in a 4-hour nursing shift shadow program.
• Physicians engaged in nursing workflow and tasks without direct patient care responsibilities.
• Pre- and post-shift surveys assessed communication confidence and workflow perception.

Main Results:

• Physician confidence in communication increased by 29%, and nurse confidence increased by 34%.
• The program enhanced physicians' understanding of nursing workflow and patient care processes.
• Survey data indicated a positive impact on interdisciplinary relationship-building and communication.

Conclusions:

• The physician-nurse shadow program facilitated direct communication practice and hands-on nursing experience for residents.
• The initiative successfully created an environment for mutual learning and strengthened interdisciplinary relationships.
• Implementing such programs can lead to improved healthcare team dynamics and patient care.